O' Christmas Tree

Putting up the Christmas Tree this year has been a process.  It started on Sunday morning around 7:30 AM.  After just finishing up our St. Lucia saffron buns, we bundled up in our snow gear, grabbed a saw and went exploring up by the creek to find this year's Charlie Brown Special.  We hunted around a bit and finally found one with enough branches, but not too many; tall enough, but not too tall.  We hauled it back to the house leaning it against the side of the house.  It was time to go skiing, so no time to actually bring the tree inside.

The rest of Sunday was scheduled between skiing, napping and a birthday party.  We thought we might get to the actual decorating come Monday.

Monday - the kids are cuckoo, I'm tired, not only did the kids not nap, but they quite rambunctiously refused to even settle down to just 'quiet' time.  Mike came home, took one look at me and the chaos & put me to bed and then the kids. Tuesday was going to be the day!

Tuesday - It snowed.  Love the snow, have been doing snow dances, was even grateful for the chance to get to shovel. BUT, the driveway needs plowed.  In order to do this the snow blower needs attaching and the tires need air.

Merrily, Mike begins to snow blow the driveway.  This endeavor usually takes about 45 minutes on a good day.  After about 20 minutes, Mike shows up in the living room sheepishly hauling the tree.  The kids are stoked and we put up the tree.  Mike then explains that while blowing the driveway, the snowblower (not Mike mind you) picks up some gravel and blows it right to and through the passenger side window of a truck parked in the driveway.  The cab fills up with snow and glass.  Okay - that can be dealt with later.  

But the "bad" news is that half way down the driveway, right by the bridge, the tractor is stuck.  Probably overheated, but nevertheless there is no way in or out.  Can't leave the tractor there because we don't have enough extension cords to reach it to heat the engine block.  He decides to go take another look. At least the tree is in the house and the kids are occupied by giving it water.

5 minutes later, Mike drives up the driveway with the tractor!  Yippeee!!  I go out to check about putting lights on the tree and see antifreeze gushing out of a cracked hose.  So, the plowing is done for the night, but by now it's way too late to decorate.  Wednesday will be the day!

Wednesday is here,  although Mike had to run to the store at 7 AM to get antifreeze, the sun is making it all look promising.  We might actually get the decoration boxes out of storage and into the house. Then, we might get to the whole decorating bit.  

I like the idea of decorating the tree and love the process, but I think I'm going to take up the German tradition of not decorating the tree until Christmas Eve. Less angst all around.   I haven't deliberately foiled the tree decorating of the past few days, but I must confess that I am in no hurry:  between 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 kids  I really don't see the need to put up a bunch of ornaments to be knocked down and broken.  Plus, my kids were so excited about just the tree and lights last night they didn't go to sleep until 10:30!  What will happen with ornaments, candles, carousels and candy canes?

There also something very appealing about the simplicity of a tree with just lights.  (Well, actually it's already cluttered with stuffed animals and doll clothes).  The lack of ornaments allows me the luxury of letting the kids play London Bridge and Ring Around the Rosey with the tree.  Maybe it's  better this way:  By keeping clutter off of the tree, maybe we will be inspired by the simple joy of being together, playing together and enjoying the beautiful simplicity that Ma' Nature likes to show us.

Sara Rolfs, who's husband actually ties the Christmas Tree to a knob on a ceiling to keep it from getting knocked down.

Comments

[sara]

finally got some popsicle-rudolph ornaments up, but other than that, still loving just the lights!